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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Getting Tornado Safe to Honor Recent Tornado Tragedies

Two years ago today, a devastating tornado hit Joplin, MO. This EF5 tornado took over 100 lives, injured thousands and caused billions of dollars in damage in less than an hour. And earlier this week, a tornado similar in severity ravaged Moore, OK. While it’s rare to see a tornado as fierce as these, tornadoes threaten every state in the U.S. —including Colorado. In fact, according to the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, Colorado has the 9th highest frequency of tornadoes in the U.S., and NOAA reports that between 1953 and 2004 Colorado experienced an average of 22 tornadoes per year.

Tornadoes often strike with little to no warning and are some the most violent storms found in nature, making preparation extremely important. So, this summer, in remembrance of those who lost their lives, loved-ones, homes and livelihoods in Joplin and Moore, let’s vow to make our own families and communities more prepared for tornadoes. If you'd like to learn more about the relief effort in Oklahoma or to donate to the cause, visit http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Red-Cross-Ramps-Up-Relief-Efforts-in-Oklahoma to learn more.

Here are some resources and tips to that can help you and your loved ones get started: 1. Download the Red Cross Tornado App
This cool new app, available for both Apple and Android users, allows you to have severe weather/tornado updates, alerts and preparedness tips right at your fingertips. Visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/tornado and click the link on the right or search for the app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to learn more.

4. Learn the science behind tornadoes
Visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/tornado.htm to learn about the EF scale for tornado severity as well as other interesting science behind tornadoes. Explore the rest of the site to learn the science behind thunderstorms and the other hazards that they bring.